Opinion on "New" Cars

[Strudel-]

Da Jia Hao,

 

Following my unfortunate accident, my car has been written off by the insurance company which left me with $30k to buy another car. Below are some options which I am looking at but would like to get some opinion from people who got first hand experience of the car

 

1) BMW 335i (high ks)

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-335i-2007/SSE-AD-2715401/?Cr=16&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/BMW-335i-2007/AGC-AD-16361523/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-335i-2007/SSE-AD-3070178/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

2) BMW 525i

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-525i-2006/SSE-AD-2881388/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

 

3) BMW 530d

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-530d-2006/SSE-AD-2753821/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

4) Honda Accord Euro Luxury

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Accord-Euro-2008/SSE-AD-903713/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Accord-Euro-2010/SSE-AD-3060143/?Cr=14&sdmvc=1

 

 

My previous car was a 1995 R33 Skyline GT-R. Apart from the extensive list of electronics/parts in the BMW, I believe I can cope with the service cost. I would think the the straight 6 engine and whole car is fairly reliable. A close friend also confirm that. He runs a garage and work a lot on Conti so servicing should be ok. However he's still quite young (early 30s) so maybe his experience is limited (which is why I'm posting here). The usual water pump replacement is ok (1k+) and I am after is big cost items like 2k or 3k repair cost from private garage (not dealers). I found some oil leak issue but it seems like a cheap and easy fix by replacing seals and o-rings.

 

I would love the 335i and not fussy with old cars but not sure if thats the right choice at that sort of mileage. Please try not to add to the list because these 4 cars already giving me a headache. Will be test driving them all over this week and hopefully I'll narrow it down to 1 or 2.

 

The Euro Lux is really there for cheap comfort with heaps to pocket. Running cost will be low being 4 cyclinders. Australia car rego (road tax) is based on cyclinders, $900 for 6 cyc and $650 for 4. Insurance will be around $1k for any of the BMW and around $650 for the Honda per year.

 

If the 335 is reliable, I will take that silver m sport for sure at that price.

 

Gam xia.

[Chowyunfatt]

Da Jia Hao,

 

Following my unfortunate accident, my car has been written off by the insurance company which left me with $30k to buy another car. Below are some options which I am looking at but would like to get some opinion from people who got first hand experience of the car

 

1) BMW 335i (high ks)

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-335i-2007/SSE-AD-2715401/?Cr=16&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/BMW-335i-2007/AGC-AD-16361523/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-335i-2007/SSE-AD-3070178/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

2) BMW 525i

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-525i-2006/SSE-AD-2881388/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

 

3) BMW 530d

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-530d-2006/SSE-AD-2753821/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

4) Honda Accord Euro Luxury

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Accord-Euro-2008/SSE-AD-903713/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Accord-Euro-2010/SSE-AD-3060143/?Cr=14&sdmvc=1

 

 

My previous car was a 1995 R33 Skyline GT-R. Apart from the extensive list of electronics/parts in the BMW, I believe I can cope with the service cost. I would think the the straight 6 engine and whole car is fairly reliable. A close friend also confirm that. He runs a garage and work a lot on Conti so servicing should be ok. However he's still quite young (early 30s) so maybe his experience is limited (which is why I'm posting here). The usual water pump replacement is ok (1k+) and I am after is big cost items like 2k or 3k repair cost from private garage (not dealers). I found some oil leak issue but it seems like a cheap and easy fix by replacing seals and o-rings.

 

I would love the 335i and not fussy with old cars but not sure if thats the right choice at that sort of mileage. Please try not to add to the list because these 4 cars already giving me a headache. Will be test driving them all over this week and hopefully I'll narrow it down to 1 or 2.

 

The Euro Lux is really there for cheap comfort with heaps to pocket. Running cost will be low being 4 cyclinders. Australia car rego (road tax) is based on cyclinders, $900 for 6 cyc and $650 for 4. Insurance will be around $1k for any of the BMW and around $650 for the Honda per year.

 

If the 335 is reliable, I will take that silver m sport for sure at that price.

 

Gam xia.

 

You CRASHED an R33 GTR .... Wah Lan Ehhh ... Heart Pain manzz ...

 

Nothing on your list comes close to what you had ... I'm sorry ... I think the closest is 335i

[Strudel-]

 

You CRASHED an R33 GTR .... Wah Lan Ehhh ... Heart Pain manzz ...

 

Nothing on your list comes close to what you had ... I'm sorry ... I think the closest is 335i

 

Oh to make it worse, mine's an N1 which apparent are less than 100 built. But then the new owner is going to restore it slowly so still ok.

 

The accident involved 4 cars on a 110kph highway and I'm the 2nd car. The chick in front just stopped. I was at least 3-4 car length away from her when I looked at the dashcam lo. But then I was travelling at 110-115kph so I dont think got any chance to avoid it unless I was in another lane. 30m behind us got another 4 cars accident at the same time too all because of that chick in front of me. Those 4 looks much worse than us...

 

I know only the 335 would come close thats why my heart is leaning that way. But I dont know about the mileage...

[Quantum]

Da Jia Hao,

 

Following my unfortunate accident, my car has been written off by the insurance company which left me with $30k to buy another car. Below are some options which I am looking at but would like to get some opinion from people who got first hand experience of the car

 

1) BMW 335i (high ks)

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-335i-2007/SSE-AD-2715401/?Cr=16&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/BMW-335i-2007/AGC-AD-16361523/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-335i-2007/SSE-AD-3070178/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

2) BMW 525i

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-525i-2006/SSE-AD-2881388/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

 

3) BMW 530d

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/BMW-530d-2006/SSE-AD-2753821/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

4) Honda Accord Euro Luxury

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Accord-Euro-2008/SSE-AD-903713/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Accord-Euro-2010/SSE-AD-3060143/?Cr=14&sdmvc=1

 

 

My previous car was a 1995 R33 Skyline GT-R. Apart from the extensive list of electronics/parts in the BMW, I believe I can cope with the service cost. I would think the the straight 6 engine and whole car is fairly reliable. A close friend also confirm that. He runs a garage and work a lot on Conti so servicing should be ok. However he's still quite young (early 30s) so maybe his experience is limited (which is why I'm posting here). The usual water pump replacement is ok (1k+) and I am after is big cost items like 2k or 3k repair cost from private garage (not dealers). I found some oil leak issue but it seems like a cheap and easy fix by replacing seals and o-rings.

 

I would love the 335i and not fussy with old cars but not sure if thats the right choice at that sort of mileage. Please try not to add to the list because these 4 cars already giving me a headache. Will be test driving them all over this week and hopefully I'll narrow it down to 1 or 2.

 

The Euro Lux is really there for cheap comfort with heaps to pocket. Running cost will be low being 4 cyclinders. Australia car rego (road tax) is based on cyclinders, $900 for 6 cyc and $650 for 4. Insurance will be around $1k for any of the BMW and around $650 for the Honda per year.

 

If the 335 is reliable, I will take that silver m sport for sure at that price.

 

Gam xia.

wah lao, bro,

you want to buy car from Aus, seek advice from Singapore fourm, how can it be applicable?

totally different game rule lah

[Strudel-]

wah lao, bro,

you want to buy car from Aus, seek advice from Singapore fourm, how can it be applicable?

totally different game rule lah

 

Same lah. Aus not much people into Conti on forum thats why I try here lo.

 

Anyway based on those listed cars and experience (personal or friend's car), whats your suggestion? I mean if the 335 is not reliable (like bullet proof), I will forget the car in all. But really looking at my GTR, almost 20yrs old, the real wear and tear is clutch and gearbox. brakes, rotors. Clutch is normal and gearbox is really due to being abused (like hard launches from its life). The rest is age, mainly with rubber, shocks, engine mount, all these are normal to me. If 335 is like that and doest cost an arm or leg, I can take it.

 

My clutch alone is 2.5k, brake pads are 600 front and rear and water pump is 700. These are around BMW price too from my friend. Servicing is ok too since the Royal Purple I use are like 100 per 5L bottle so average service will be around 200. These are all simliar to conti... but I get a more comfortable car to drive in.

[Oppositelock]

Get this.

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Holden-Commodore-2013/AGC-AD-16192553/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

 

or this

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Commodore-2012/SSE-AD-2976317/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

Edited November 6, 2014 by Oppositelock

[Turtlekar]

Get a GTR.....

 

Coming to Sg site for car recommendation is rather different platform....

 

Here car averaging about $100k...even for the B&B car....

 

If price like Australia, I think all driving super cars already.....a Honda Civic here can almost reach the GTR over there.....

 

Talking abt technical, agree that it's the same (pretty much), but the importance is the level of support Aus is giving...Singapore here a lot of workshop, but I know in Australia, once u hit the workshop, they will charge by the hours....ouch....and that can be high cost...even changing a tires, they will take up to an hour to do the job....that's Ozzie lifestyle...work life balance.

[Strudel-]

Get this.

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Holden-Commodore-2013/AGC-AD-16192553/?Cr=0&sdmvc=1

 

or this

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Commodore-2012/SSE-AD-2976317/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1

 

Commodores are known as Bogan cars so no. And also they're very very fuel thirsty. The Holden R8 consumes 22L/100km. These engines are just way too inefficient.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Strudel-

[Strudel-]

Get a GTR.....

 

Coming to Sg site for car recommendation is rather different platform....

 

Here car averaging about $100k...even for the B&B car....

 

If price like Australia, I think all driving super cars already.....a Honda Civic here can almost reach the GTR over there.....

 

Talking abt technical, agree that it's the same (pretty much), but the importance is the level of support Aus is giving...Singapore here a lot of workshop, but I know in Australia, once u hit the workshop, they will charge by the hours....ouch....and that can be high cost...even changing a tires, they will take up to an hour to do the job....that's Ozzie lifestyle...work life balance.

 

If that was the plan, I'd be going with the Accord Euro simply because its cheap to run, insure and maintain. I can take the 5yrs to save up for a R34 M-Spec NUR which is what I've always wanted.

 

I dont think theres any problem asking for opinion in a SG forum. Its a technical/reliability question and not cost.

 

Yes and no. Surely there might be more workshop here that doesnt know what they're doing or charge an arm or a leg for the work, but theres good ones too, just gotta ask and do the research. I found that parts arent that expensive if you import yourself from US so that's solved. It all comes down to if the engine gonna blow up or the gearbox gonna sh1t itself while driving. Sensors replacements are typical and I can cope with that.

 

I rebuilt the old gtr gearbox with new Nismo clutch for almost 5k so I know what its like looking after a old gtr but not a BMW. However, I'd would think the 335 is just another performance car like other performance car (e.g. more regular service rather what manufacturer specified, more preventive maintenance etc). But I may be too inexperience to say that as I've only own car 1 car.

 

I have a friend that owns a workshop and he does a lot of europeans. He drives a M5 and X5 so I'll be relying on him majority of the time.

[Darryn]

 

Commodores are known as Bogan cars so no. And also they're very very fuel thirsty.

I would be going for a Falcon or Commodore -

 

Should be able to get a good FPV or HSV, at a better price, less miles, more servicing options than going for a Euro.

 

Not sure that I would agree that Commodores are "Bogan Cars" - a good Senator or similar is very much mainstream to my way of thinking, (and many many middle aged folks drove them back home)

 

Just feel that you will get a much straighter, low mileage example by buying something "local"

 

Cheers

[Darryn]

 

If that was the plan, I'd be going with the Accord Euro simply because its cheap to run, insure and maintain. I can take the 5yrs to save up for a R34 M-Spec NUR which is what I've always wanted.

 

I dont think theres any problem asking for opinion in a SG forum. Its a technical/reliability question and not cost.

 

Yes and no. Surely there might be more workshop here that doesnt know what they're doing or charge an arm or a leg for the work, but theres good ones too, just gotta ask and do the research. I found that parts arent that expensive if you import yourself from US so that's solved. It all comes down to if the engine gonna blow up or the gearbox gonna sh1t itself while driving. Sensors replacements are typical and I can cope with that.

 

I rebuilt the old gtr gearbox with new Nismo clutch for almost 5k so I know what its like looking after a old gtr but not a BMW. However, I'd would think the 335 is just another performance car like other performance car (e.g. more regular service rather what manufacturer specified, more preventive maintenance etc). But I may be too inexperience to say that as I've only own car 1 car.

 

I have a friend that owns a workshop and he does a lot of europeans. He drives a M5 and X5 so I'll be relying on him majority of the time.

This is probably not what you want to hear -

 

My personal preference is to "go mainstream" - I feel that budget "better" utilised this way, and once you have to start relying on being able to import parts, or a specialist shop, or whatever else like this, you are opening yourself up for a world of hurt and expense - for a daily driver.

 

if it is for a project or "play" car, then by all means go for it. If it is for a daily driver, stay with something that is local, where parts will be in plentiful supply, and where you don't have to rely on a specialist shop for servicing -

 

this is "general" advice - of course you are the best one to decide on your situation. I have just seen too many times where a car is laid up while waiting for a part, or there is a problem with your preferred shop or whatever else - my personal preference is to go mainstream and then spend my money / time on a "better" spec of a lesser brand

[Strudel-]

This is probably not what you want to hear -

 

My personal preference is to "go mainstream" - I feel that budget "better" utilised this way, and once you have to start relying on being able to import parts, or a specialist shop, or whatever else like this, you are opening yourself up for a world of hurt and expense - for a daily driver.

 

if it is for a project or "play" car, then by all means go for it. If it is for a daily driver, stay with something that is local, where parts will be in plentiful supply, and where you don't have to rely on a specialist shop for servicing -

 

this is "general" advice - of course you are the best one to decide on your situation. I have just seen too many times where a car is laid up while waiting for a part, or there is a problem with your preferred shop or whatever else - my personal preference is to go mainstream and then spend my money / time on a "better" spec of a lesser brand

 

The commodores are over 22L/100km with normal driving and thats a running cost. 270kW at the engine comparing to my old gtr 250kW at the wheel, I'm only running 13L/100km.

 

I was buying parts from Japan for the gtr too and yes sometime you do have to wait but we have another car (wife's new beetle), so its not the end of the world even if I'm left without car for a couple of weeks. Another thing is I take the bus to work. Thats another reason why I'd prefer to have a fun car when I do drive.

[Oppositelock]

 

Commodores are known as Bogan cars so no. And also they're very very fuel thirsty. The Holden R8 consumes 22L/100km. These engines are just way too inefficient.

 

I can't even keep up with them using a 2.5L turbocharged Subaru Liberty. Total beast, I just love how unrefined it is.

[Benarsenal]

Honestly, none of the cars you listed will even come close to your GT-R, but it seems like you want to try something different, so that's fair.

 

I personally would go back to Japanese again, if your primary concern is running costs and reliability. From what I understand, E90 BMW 3 Series are fairly problematic, always got lots of things break/spoil (most of the time minor but irritating). E60 5 Series I think slightly better, but I still wouldn't trust it.

[Strudel-]

Honestly, none of the cars you listed will even come close to your GT-R, but it seems like you want to try something different, so that's fair.

 

I personally would go back to Japanese again, if your primary concern is running costs and reliability. From what I understand, E90 BMW 3 Series are fairly problematic, always got lots of things break/spoil (most of the time minor but irritating). E60 5 Series I think slightly better, but I still wouldn't trust it.

 

Not exactly. I've never driven the 335 around the track or take it to the quarter mile so I cannot really compare. But I am very impressed by it. Like I said the response is amazing.

 

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140324193916AARg70G

 

 

High pressure fuel pumps are recalls on all 335 up to 120k miles not a 1000 bucks.

 

If you get one with mile that high heck that service records were well kept.

 

Problems you might expect at that milage.

1) HPFP -free under recall

2) injectors - 800 to 1500

3) Coil packs - 50 to 350

4) Plugs - 50 to 100

5) Serpentine belt gouged caused by lower subframe 500-800

6) Leaky oil housing cooler gasket 2-500

7) Leaky valve cover gasket 4-800

8) Leaky oil pan gasket 4-800

9) Rattling exhaust acuator - free by unplugging it

 

If you can get one even with a limited warranty have a master bmw mechanic perform the HPFP replent and aget a free inspection. Take that list back tothe dealership and have them fix it.

 

The above problem are similar to the gtr if you classify them as problem. I've own the gtr since 67,000km to 128,000km (5yrs). Replaced the fuel pump with a Nismo fuel pump. I am currently asking my friend to check how much is it to replace that if it does breakdown. Not to mention I've replaced engine mount, rebuilt gearbox, new clutch, new alternator, bushing, engine gasket and seal and water pump. Its all part of owning an "old" performance vehicle. The return is a smile everytime you drive it.

 

Injectors and coil pack tends to fail due to electric or mods in the RB2.6 which maybe the same as the N54? Anyhow this problem is known to all Skylines. Maybe its a straight 6 problem?

 

My RB26 gasket leak or got stain of oil as well around 70,000km but its not a major problem and gasket was replaced together when I did the major service. So far everything seems to be pointing in that direction really. Going to get my friend in Melb to test all 3 and if ok I'll fly there and drive back.